The Nigerian Ports Authority convened a stakeholders' meeting in Lagos with the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Government, and truck owners to establish a joint task force targeting extortion and illegal checkpoints along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors. NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho stated that widespread extortion has been documented on roads outside the ports, particularly the Tin Can Island corridor toward Berger and Isolo, as well as routes linking the ports to Ijora Road, Ikorodu, and Surulere. The task force aims to dismantle illegal checkpoints, resolve overlapping security agency mandates, and reduce cargo evacuation delays.
Reduced extortion and checkpoint friction along the Apapa and Tin Can Island corridors should accelerate truck throughput and cargo evacuation timelines, lowering demurrage and dwell time costs for importers and exporters. Streamlined jurisdictional clarity among security agencies reduces unpredictable delays that distort freight scheduling and increase operating costs for trucking fleets and freight forwarders. Improved corridor efficiency supports better vessel turnaround and import/export throughput at Nigeria's busiest seaports.